Press digest – November 27

VN, Belarus strengthen all-faceted relationship

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Belarus’ President A.Lukashenko highlighted the importance of the cooperation in economics, trade and investment as they are regarded as the main pillars in the two nations’ relationship.

As a member of the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, Belarus commits to accelerating the negotiations for the early signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Viet Nam and the Union, said the President.

The two leaders also highly valued the close cooperation between the two countries in the framework of the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement as well as at international forums and organizations.

VN, Hungary to mark diplomatic ties by 2015

State President Truong Tan Sang and Hungarian President Ader Janos were unanimous in promoting cooperation in education-training, science-technology, national security, natural resources, environment, health and agriculture at the talks in Ha Noi.

The State President proposed Hungary provide more Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Viet Nam and increase the scholarships for Vietnamese students from 40 to 100 since 2015.

As a member of the European Union, Hungary advocates the relations between Viet Nam and the EU, the ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), accelerates the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement negotiations and encourages the EU to recognize Viet Nam as a full market economy, asserted the Hungarian President.

Thai PM’s VN visit manifests strategic partnership

PM Nguyen Tan Dung has told his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan-ocha that his official visit to Viet Nam right after taking office is a vivid manifestation of the two countries’ strategic partnership.

Both said with delight that the bilateral relationship has been growing continuously in all fields, especially after it was lifted to strategic partnership.

They said they will direct ministries, sectors and localities to well implement signed agreements and expand cooperation towards facilitating investment and trade activities in order to gross US$15 billion in two-way trade by 2020.

Businesses asked for greater contribution to children’s rights

A ceremony to announce “Children's Rights and Business Principles” was organized by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

UNICEF Representative in Viet Nam Youssouf Abdel-Jelil hoped that thanks to the joint efforts of the whole society, the business community will help all children enjoy benefits from growth rate and development.

At the ceremony, the Deputy PM witnessed the signing of the commitment proceedings from businesses from Viet Nam, the US, Europe, Australia and the Republic of Korea to implement 10 business principles to support and respect children’s rights.

Agriculture-aquaculture-forestry exports up 12% in 11 months

The agriculture-aquaculture-forestry exports in November reached US$2.66 billion, bringing the total export turnover of the sector to US$28.2 billion over the past 11 months of the year, up 12.1% compared to the same period last year.

Accordingly, the export values of agricultural, aquatic and forestry products are estimated at US$13.19 billion, US$7.22 billion and US$5.88 billion, up 10.5%, 19.3% and 12.9%, respectively.

Number of foreign visitors to VN up 5.4%

Foreign visitors to Viet Nam numbered 7.217 million over the past 11 months of the year, a year-on-year increase of 5.4%.

The number included 4.363 million tourists, up 3.9%, 1.211 million on business trip, up 5.7% and 1.237 million visiting their relatives, up 17.3%.

Visitors from China made the majority with 1.814 million, up 5.1%, followed by the Republic of Korea with 764,800, up 12%, Japan with 591,700, up 6.9%.

VN set up first int’l agriculture research centre

The Vietnamese Government gave its full backing to a proposed the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) technical assistance package, which looks to establish the nation’s first international agricultural research centre.

The centre aims to achieve sustainable rice production through the installation of advance technologies and serve as the foundation for further enhancing Viet Nam’s global leadership role in rice production.

Japan links businesses in HCM City

More than 30 Japanese and hundreds of Vietnamese small and medium sized enterprises gathered in Ho Chi Minh City for a business matching event sponsored by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

The purpose of the event was to establish business links between Vietnamese and Japanese enterprises operating in the housewares, wood products, interior furniture, cosmetics, and fashion fields.

VN-South Africa trade promotion conference

The Viet Nam-South Africa trade and tourism promotion conference was held in Hue city, Thua Thien Hue Province.

The conference will help the two sides’ businesses, especially local ones, to seek partnerships in trade, tourism, culture, education and training.  

By Thuy Dung